Best Day Trips from Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital of Romania and the most visited city in the country, and as such it has some of the most outstanding attractions, but it is also an ideal destination to use as a base from which to discover some of the best sites in the surrounding area. From mythical castles to medieval villages, natural wonders to coastal towns, during your trip you will find something for everyone.

Some of the best things to do in Bucharest include taking a tour to Dracula's Castle, visiting Peles and Brasov, touring the coastal towns of Constanta and Mamaia, visiting the Slanic Prahova Salt Mine, exploring the beauty of Bulgaria's medieval villages and interacting with brown bears in the Carpathian Mountains surrounding Romania.

One of the best activities you can do in Romania is to visit the Dracula Castle from Bucharest. Located in the Bran region, this experience will allow you to enter this iconic medieval building, which guards the legend of Count Dracula, inspired by the Romanian prince known as Vlad the Impaler. On these excursions you can visit the castle's corridors, the royal chambers and the exhibitions that refer to Bram Stoker's character.

Also, a short distance from Bran is Peles Castle, in the town of Sinaia, an architectural jewel in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. This royal palace, built in the 19th century, is a testimony to the opulence of the Romanian monarchy, so you can discover its rooms, the hall of arms and the gardens surrounding this site, which offers a unique insight into aristocratic life in Europe during the Middle Ages.

On the other hand, these excursions usually include a stop in Brasov, a well-preserved medieval town that will captivate you with its Council Square and the Black Church, two highlights that reveal the rich history of the region. Also, very close by, Mount Tampa will give you one of the best wide views of the surrounding mountains.

Without a doubt, this is one of the full-day experiences not to be missed during your visit to Bucharest, even if you plan to visit the city in a short 3-day stay.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 37 euros per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will get to know one of the most iconic sites in the world due to the legend of Dracula written by Bram Stoker that made the castle famous.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: because they are tours of different sites, you will not have too much free time to tour Dracula Castle on your own.

If you want to discover the Black Sea from Bucharest, one of the best options is to join the guided excursions that will take you to this destination, also to Constanta and Mamaia. Constanta, on the other hand, is the oldest city in Romania and has a history that dates back to the ancient Greek colony of Tomis. Thus, a stroll through its old town will reveal traces of its Roman and Byzantine past, including the Great Mosque, which marks its cultural diversity.

Mamaia, known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, is a coastal extension that offers a contrast to the history of Constanta. This internationally renowned resort is famous for its golden sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. In addition, there you can explore the Aqua Magic Park, which is considered one of the best and most outstanding in Eastern Europe. In addition, from the Telegondola Tower you can enjoy sweeping views of the sea.

These excursions also usually include a stop at the National Museum of History and Archaeology in Constanta, which houses archaeological elements that narrate the evolution of the region over the centuries and that will serve to complement the historical tour of the city, the beauty of the beaches of Mamaia and, if you wish, the adrenaline experience of the Aqua Magic Park.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 76 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a tour of two of the most outstanding cities around Bucharest and live historical and adrenaline experiences.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: the entrance tickets for the Costanza museum and for the Mamaia water park are not included in the tour price.

The Slanic Prahova Salt Mine is the largest in Europe and is located deep in the Carpathian Mountains. Its history dates back to the 17th century, when the mineral wealth of the region was discovered and since then it has been a crucial enclave for the extraction of salt and has been one of the economic engines of Romania. On these excursions, you will be able to visit this site which is known as the Salt Cathedral.

In this mine you will see the corridors and salt chambers that create a unique atmosphere, adorned with sculptures and ornamentation that highlight the natural beauty of the salt. Also, inside this site you will find the Hall of the Salt Fountains, where you can discover the purity of the air and learn about the properties of this mineral. Also, if you plan to visit Bucharest during the winter, you can learn about the work that the humidity does in this site, generating different colors and textures on the minerals.

During your visit you can also explore the Salt Museum, which provides a deeper insight into the history of the region and the importance of salt in Romanian culture. With transfers from Bucharest, this tour offers not only an educational experience, but also the opportunity to discover the subway architecture that distinguishes the Slanic Prahova Salt Mine.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 51 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will get to know one of the sites that marked the Romanian economy for more than three centuries and is nowadays one of the most visited natural wonders.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the mine offers many entertaining activities inside, but due to the duration of these tours you will not have enough time to explore them all.

One of the most outstanding virtues of Bucharest as a Mediterranean city is that you can use it as a base to tour other nearby sites and that includes destinations in other countries, such as Bulgaria. Thus, on these excursions, you can travel through the history of the Second Bulgarian Empire, which will take you to Ivanovo, the home of the rock-hewn Rupestrian Churches that reveal frescoes from the 13th to 14th centuries.

In addition, in Bulgaria you can also visit Veliko Tarnovo, the former capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire that houses the Tsarevets Fortress, a testimony of medieval architecture and the scene of battles and events that have left an indelible mark on the Bulgarian national identity. Also, if you plan to visit Bucharest during Christmas, you will find in these tours to Veliko Tarnovo one of the thematic epicenters during the eve, with seasonal markets and decorations.

On the other hand, you should keep in mind that the history of Veliko Tarnovo is intertwined with the greatness of the Second Bulgarian Empire, as it is the place where art, architecture and culture flourished. During the visit to Tsarevets Fortress you can explore ruins, walls and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which rescue the imperial splendor and its cultural richness.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 68 euros per person.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will see some of the most beautiful sites in Bulgaria in a full day experience.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they propose a very intense and demanding tour, so it is not recommended for elderly people or people with reduced mobility.

One of the best tours you can do in Bucharest includes getting to know the Carpathian Mountains, which is not only the setting for some of the best scenery in the region, but also the natural habitat of wild brown bears, Romania's most distinctive animal species. During the experience, you will be able to visit a refuge that keeps the bears in a natural area that respects the wildlife.

In addition, these regional wildlife tours also include a stop at Dracula's fortress, located in the Transylvania region. This medieval building, known as Bran Castle, is famous for its connection to Bram Stoker's novel and the legend of Count Dracula. Therefore, visiting Dracula Castle from Bucharest will allow you to explore its corridors and towers to discover the reality behind the fiction.

During these tours, you will usually be assisted by an expert local guide who will allow you to learn about the fortress that served as a strategic defense over the centuries and offers a unique insight into the architecture and culture of the time. Also, from this castle you can get some of the best sweeping views of the Carpathian Mountains in a not-to-be-missed experience.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 218 euros per person.
• Duration: about 11 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: you will be able to combine a nature experience in Romania with a visit to the main attraction of the country, which is Dracula's Castle.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are not inexpensive experiences due to the fact that entrance fees to protected areas in Romania are usually expensive for visitors.

You can book a tour from Bucharest in advance online or book it once you are in the city, although you should keep in mind that if you plan to visit the Romanian capital during the summer or the high season months, the places in the experiences could sell out or increase in price due to last minute bookings.

On the other hand, if you book before your arrival you can put together an itinerary that allows you to get the most out of your visit and combine these full-day excursions with some of the best guided tours of Bucharest that offer different schedules. In addition, booking in advance will also be ideal if you plan to visit the Romanian capital in 2 days or even less.

Bucharest offers many attractions, both in the city and in the surrounding areas, so the first thing I advise you to do is to plan an itinerary in advance, taking into account distances and travel times, so you can get the most out of your visit.

On the other hand, don't forget to pack comfortable clothing and footwear, especially if your excursion involves hiking or outdoor exploration, as is the case with tours of the Carpathian Mountains to discover wild brown bears. Also, check weather conditions before setting out, especially if you plan to visit Bucharest during the winter, when temperatures can be cold.

Finally, consider using local guided tour services to gain valuable information about the history, culture and highlights of each destination. This will not only maximize your experience, but also allow you to relax by relinquishing the organization of logistics and focusing solely on the excursion.

There are many places around Bucharest that you should not miss during your visit, but one of the must-see is Bran, the village that houses the famous Dracula's Castle, linked to the legend of Bram Stoker's story. This picturesque Transylvanian village will captivate you with its cobblestone streets and traditional houses, offering you a unique experience of Romanian culture.

Also, if you opt for the Bulgaria tour, you can visit Veliko Tarnovo, a medieval jewel that reflects the Bulgarian imperial power. This site will reveal the architecture and panoramic views of the Tsarevets Fortress, a landmark that reveals the grandeur of the region over the centuries.

Within the Carpathian circuit, do not forget to include in your itinerary the city of Brasov, which with its colorful buildings and imposing Black Church, offers an authentic perspective that will take you back to the times of the Middle Ages in Romania, in a first-hand experience that you will not find even in the best museums in Bucharest.

Taking an excursion from Bucharest is highly recommended due to the richness and diversity of experiences offered by the surroundings of the Romanian capital. This destination also serves as a strategic starting point to explore the history, culture and natural beauty of the region, in full day tours that will allow you to visit Dracula's Castle in Bran and other gems of medieval architecture.

In addition, these excursions will give you the opportunity to discover the panoramic views of the Carpathian Mountains, as well as the natural wealth of these mountains, including species such as wild brown bears, which is one of the distinctive animals of Romania.

On the other hand, the variety of excursions available from Bucharest will allow you to tailor your itinerary according to your interests, whether it is immersing yourself in history at the Tsarevets Fortress or relaxing on the beaches of Mamaia.